What is the ADA Ethics Hotline?

The ADA Ethics Hotline — 800.621.8099 — is a service available to members of the ADA. This member service is designed to assist new dentists and other members in managing ethical challenges that may arise in day to day practice. The Ethics Hotline is not a legal resource but rather a service for helping to resolve ethical dilemmas much like an ethics consult service. Callers will be matched with a member of the Council on Ethics, Bylaws, and Judicial Affairs who will arrange to call the member at a mutually agreeable time to discuss the dilemma and offer resources that may assist in resolving the dilemma.

Calling the Ethics Hotline

To reach the Ethics Hotline, simply call the ADA Member Service Center at 800.621.8099 and ask to be connected to the Hotline. An ADA Member Service Advisor will connect you to a confidential voicemail system that can only be accessed by specific CEBJA staff. These staff members will forward your information to a CEBJA member, who will contact you within 2-3 business days to arrange a mutually agreeable time to discuss your dilemma with you. If you have a very time-sensitive dilemma, please say so in your message and CEBJA staff and members will do their best to accommodate your needs.

Disclaimer

The Ethics Hotline is designed to assist members in identifying possible ethical issues and appropriate responses to those issues. The Hotline does not and cannot provide definitive advice with regard to whether any given situation or particular course of conduct violates the Code of Ethics. Likewise, responding volunteers do not, and cannot, provide callers with legal advice. Callers are encouraged to consult with a knowledgeable attorney as appropriate. To preserve the integrity of the process and foster open and frank communications between callers and ADA staff and volunteers, the Hotline will endeavor to keep your identity and the specific details of your questions or concerns confidential, and will disclose such information only if required to do so by subpoena or other legal process.

The ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (ADA Code)

The ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct is a written expression of the obligations arising from the implied contract between the dental profession and society. Members of the ADA voluntarily agree to abide by the ADA Code as a condition of membership in the Association.

It is highly recommended that callers to the Hotline review the ADA Code prior to calling the hotline or receiving a call from a CEBJA member.